Page 16 of Breached

NICOLE

With multiple cameras mounted on the vehicle, I felt like Blackstone was with me. A small earpiece was in my ear, but I would remove it as directed by Paul as soon as I got close to the checkpoint where I’d meet Sully. He’d be sure to check me, but he also knew it wasn’t how I did business.

I flexed my fingers on the wheel, not nervous, as I was thrilled to be back in the field. I may not have been south of the border, but I’d take what I could get.

“Are you there, guys?” I couldn’t help checking to make sure Paul and John were still following me.

“Relax, Duchess, they’re still on your tail.” I could hear Mark’s smirk as he spoke. I cocked a brow at his nickname for me. “Paul’s eye in the sky is checking your surroundings.”

I ducked to look out the front windshield and tried to spot the tiny dragon, but it blended in with the fully white clouds.

I heard crunching and rolled my eyes. “I hear that you finally guilted Savannah into making you cookies.”

A chuckle followed by a yelp told me Cole probably hit him. “I forgot my mic was hot,” Mark mumbled, “and yes, guilting is one of my many talents. Besides, I’m the favorite in the house.”

“Is he always this chatty during a mission?”

“Can confirm, that is true.” Keith didn’t miss a beat.

“Affirmative,” Cole piped in.

It was fun having them all in my ear even though they were in different places. I grinned, thankful for the banter—it kept me relaxed as I drove.

“Possible contact, twelve o’clock,” Paul said, and I tensed.

“Duchess, you have company.” Mark’s voice turned serious. Rounding the bend in the road, something could be seen up ahead. “Keep on course. We knew he wouldn’t come alone.”

“Okay.”

I slowed when two men with ARs stepped forward. It didn’t take much to see they were part of Sully’s crew.

“Out,” the man ordered in Spanish, and I glanced at the camera in the mirror and second guessed the plan of having cameras on the car. Times were different now—the stakes were higher.

“Do as they say,” Mark coached through my earpiece. “Just don’t ditch the earpiece until you get out of the car.”

I kept my hands on the wheel and didn’t leave the vehicle.

“Out!” the man shouted louder, but I didn’t move. I stood my ground. Two men started walking toward me with their guns up, but I raised my chin and pressed on the gas, revving the engine.

“Nicole,” Paul was suddenly in my ear, “what are you doing?”

“Just wait,” I whispered, barely moving my lips.

The men raised their guns as they yelled again. “You want to die?” one of them screamed.

“Nicole!” Paul repeated. “What are you doing?”

The Cartel member pointed his gun to the window straight at the side of my head, but I just stared at the blacked-out Escalade in front of me.

“I guess you do want to die today,” the man threatened and took aim at my head.

I put the window down. “Fuck you!”

“Nicole!” Paul pleaded.

Suddenly, the door opened and Sully stepped out of the Escalade.

“Muy bien, chicos, that’s enough,” he called and approached my car with a big grin as he shook his head at me.